Tonga

Broadcast media

2 state-owned TV stations and 2 privately owned TV stations; satellite and cable TV services are available; 2 state-owned and 3 privately owned radio stations; Radio Australia broadcasts available via satellite (2009)

Internet country code

.to

Internet hosts

5,367 (2012) country comparison to the world: 144

Internet users

8,400 (2009) country comparison to the world: 203

Telephone system

general assessment: competition between Tonga Telecommunications Corporation (TCC) and Shoreline Communications Tonga (SCT) is accelerating expansion of telecommunications; SCT granted approval to introduce high-speed digital service for telephone, Internet, and television while TCC has exclusive rights to operate the mobile-phone network; international telecom services are provided by government-owned Tonga Telecommunications International domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 80 telephones per 100 persons; fully automatic switched network international: country code - 676; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

30,000 (2012) country comparison to the world: 175

Telephones - mobile cellular

56,000 (2012) country comparison to the world: 201

Agriculture - products

squash, coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper; fish

Budget

revenues: $116.3 million expenditures: $116.3 million (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

0% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 49

Commercial bank prime lending rate

10.36% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 11.21% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$-48.5 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 67 $-36.4 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$198.6 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 $190.5 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Economy - overview

Tonga has a small, open, South Pacific island economy. It has a narrow export base in agricultural goods. Squash, vanilla beans, and yams are the main crops. Agricultural exports, including fish, make up two-thirds of total exports. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. The country remains dependent on external aid and remittances from Tongan communities overseas to offset its trade deficit. Tourism is the second-largest source of hard currency earnings following remittances. Tonga had 39,000 visitors in 2006. The government is emphasizing the development of the private sector, especially the encouragement of investment, and is committing increased funds for health and education. Tonga has a reasonably sound basic infrastructure and well developed social services. High unemployment among the young, moderate inflation, pressures for democratic reform, and rising civil service expenditures are major issues facing the government.

Exchange rates

pa'anga (TOP) per US dollar - 1.72 (2012 est.) 1.73 (2011 est.) 1.91 (2010 est.)

Exports

$8.4 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 212 $8 million (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

squash, fish, vanilla beans, root crops

Exports - partners

South Korea 18.5%, US 17%, NZ 15.6%, Fiji 10.2%, Japan 9.5%, Samoa 8.6%, American Samoa 5.4%, Australia 5.1% (2012)

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

GDP (official exchange rate)

$464.6 million (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$826 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 208 $820.1 million (2011 est.) $806.1 million (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 97.3% government consumption: 17.4% investment in fixed capital: 29.8% investment in inventories: -0.9% exports of goods and services: 18.3% imports of goods and services: -61.9% (2012 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 20.7% industry: 23.3% services: 56% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$8,000 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 $8,000 (2011 est.) $7,800 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

0.7% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 1.9% (2011 est.) 3.1% (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$121.9 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 209 $131 million (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, chemicals

Imports - partners

Fiji 35.7%, NZ 24.4%, US 10.5%, China 10.2% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

0.5% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 131

Industries

tourism, construction, fishing

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.2% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 6.3% (2011 est.)

Labor force

39,960 (2007) country comparison to the world: 196

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 31.8% industry: 30.6% services: 2,003% (2003 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

24% (FY03/04)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$152.4 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 $143.3 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$169.2 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 $177.3 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$61.43 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 $61.47 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$125.5 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 176 $132.1 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$81.03 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 $66.56 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

25% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 127

Unemployment rate

13% (FY03/04 est.) country comparison to the world: 133

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

154,600 Mt (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 198

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 190

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 127

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2010 es) country comparison to the world: 192

Electricity - consumption

38.13 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 207

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012) country comparison to the world: 136

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 37

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 203

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 186

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 128

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 140

Electricity - installed generating capacity

12,000 kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 202

Electricity - production

41 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 207

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 198

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 190

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 135

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 197

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 197

Refined petroleum products - consumption

1,221 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 196

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 133

Refined petroleum products - imports

1,202 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 191

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 133

Area

total: 747 sq km country comparison to the world: 190 land: 717 sq km water: 30 sq km

Area - comparative

four times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December)

Coastline

419 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed elevation on Kao Island 1,033 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation results as more and more land is being cleared for agriculture and settlement; some damage to coral reefs from starfish and indiscriminate coral and shell collectors; overhunting threatens native sea turtle populations

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

20 00 S, 175 00 W

Geography - note

archipelago of 169 islands (36 inhabited)

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land: 21.33% permanent crops: 14.67% other: 64% (2011)

Location

Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Natural hazards

cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou volcanism: moderate volcanic activity; Fonualei (elev. 180 m) has shown frequent activity in recent years, while Niuafo'ou (elev. 260 m), which last erupted in 1985, has forced evacuations; other historically active volcanoes include Late and Tofua

Natural resources

fish, fertile soil

Terrain

most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base

Administrative divisions

5 island divisions; 'Eua, Ha'apai, Ongo Niua, Tongatapu, Vava'u

Capital

name: Nuku'alofa geographic coordinates: 21 08 S, 175 12 W time difference: UTC+13 (18 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

adopted 4 November 1875; amended many times, last in 2013 (2013)

Country name

conventional long form: Kingdom of Tonga conventional short form: Tonga local long form: Pule'anga Tonga local short form: Tonga former: Friendly Islands

Diplomatic representation from the US

the US does not have an embassy in Tonga; the US ambassador to Fiji, currently Ambassador Frankie A. REED, is accredited to Tonga

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Mahe'uli'uli Sandhurst TUPOUNIUA (since 10 September 2013) chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400B, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (800) 345-6541 consulate(s) general: San Francisco

Executive branch

chief of state: King TUPOU VI (since 18 March 2012); note - King George TUPOU V died on 18 March 2012 in Hong Kong; he was succeeded by his brother Crown Prince TUPOUTO'A Lavaka, who took the throne name TUPOU VI head of government: Prime Minister Lord Siale'ataonga TU'IVAKANO (since 22 December 2010) cabinet: Cabinet is nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) note: there is also a Privy Council that advises the monarch elections: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by and from the members of parliament and appointed by the monarch election results: Lord Siale'ataonga TU'IVAKANO elected by parliament on 21 December 2010 with 14 of 26 votes

Flag description

red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner; the cross reflects the deep-rooted Christianity in Tonga; red represents the blood of Christ and his sacrifice; white signifies purity

Government type

constitutional monarchy

Independence

4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and a number of judges determined by the monarch); note - appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are brought before the King in Privy Council, the monarch's advisory organ that has both judicial and legislative powers judge selection and term of office: judge appointments and tenures made by the King in Privy Council, judge appointments subject to consent of the Legislative Assembly subordinate courts: Supreme Court; Magistrate's Courts; Land Courts

Legal system

English common law

Legislative branch

unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (26 seats - 9 for nobles elected from among the country's 29 nobles, 17 members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 25 November 2010 (next to be held in 2014) election results: Peoples Representatives: percent of vote - independents 67.3%, Democratic Party 28.5%, other 4.2%; seats - Democratic Party 12, independents 5

National anthem

name: "Ko e fasi `o e tu"i `o e `Otu Tonga" (Song of the King of the Tonga Islands) lyrics/music: Uelingatoni Ngu TUPOUMALOHI/Karl Gustavus SCHMITT note: in use since 1875; the anthem is more commonly known as "Fasi Fakafonua" (National Song)

National holiday

National Day, 4 November (1875)

National symbol(s)

red cross on white field; arms equal length

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands [Samuela 'Akilisi POHIVA] People's Democratic Party or PDP [Tesina FUKO] Sustainable Nation-Building Party [Sione FONUA] Tonga Democratic Labor Party [NA] Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement or THRDM [NA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Human Rights and Democracy Movement Tonga or HRDMT [Rev. Simote VEA, chairman] Public Servant's Association [Finau TUTONE]

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal

Background

Tonga - unique among Pacific nations - never completely lost its indigenous governance. The archipelagos of "The Friendly Islands" were united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845. Tonga became a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900; it withdrew from the protectorate and joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1970. Tonga remains the only monarchy in the Pacific.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 24,460 females age 16-49: 24,041 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 20,956 females age 16-49: 20,577 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 1,196 female: 1,134 (2010 est.)

Military branches

Tonga Defense Services (TDS): Land Force (Royal Guard), Maritime Force (includes Royal Marines, Air Wing) (2013)

Military expenditures

0.9% of GDP (2012) country comparison to the world: 135

Military service age and obligation

16 years of age for voluntary enlistment (with parental consent); no conscription; the king retains the right to call up "all those capable of bearing arms" in wartime (2012)

Age structure

0-14 years: 36.2% (male 19,545/female 18,927) 15-24 years: 19.2% (male 10,432/female 9,935) 25-54 years: 33% (male 17,549/female 17,562) 55-64 years: 5.4% (male 2,779/female 2,994) 65 years and over: 6.2% (male 3,034/female 3,565) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

24.12 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 65

Death rate

4.87 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 192

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 75.7 % youth dependency ratio: 65.4 % elderly dependency ratio: 10.3 % potential support ratio: 9.7 (2013)

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2010 est.)

Education expenditures

3.9% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 116

Ethnic groups

Polynesian, Europeans

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Health expenditures

5.3% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 133

Hospital bed density

2.6 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

total: 12.78 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 127 male: 13.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

Languages

Tongan (official), English (official)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 75.6 years country comparison to the world: 90 male: 74.16 years female: 77.09 years (2013 est.)

Literacy

definition: can read and write Tongan and/or English total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99.1% (2006 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

110 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 68

Median age

total: 21.8 years male: 21.3 years female: 22.2 years (2013 est.)

Nationality

noun: Tongan(s) adjective: Tongan

Net migration rate

-17.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 218

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

57.6% (2008) country comparison to the world: 5

Physicians density

0.56 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

106,322 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 192

Population growth rate

0.14% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 184

Religions

Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 98% of population rural: 96% of population total: 96% of population unimproved: urban: 2% of population rural: 4% of population total: 4% of population (2010 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 14 years (2007)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.46 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 48

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 11.9% country comparison to the world: 98 male: 9.9% female: 15.1% (2003)

Urbanization

urban population: 23% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

none

Airports

6 (2013) country comparison to the world: 175

Airports - with paved runways

total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2013)

Merchant marine

total: 7 country comparison to the world: 122 by type: cargo 4, carrier 1, passenger/cargo 2 foreign-owned: 2 (Australia 1, UK 1) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Nuku'alofa, Neiafu, Pangai

Roadways

total: 680 km country comparison to the world: 189 paved: 184 km unpaved: 496 km (2011)